A Promise is a Promise: Time for Action to End Violence Against Women
The elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls is the focus of this year’s International Women’s Day. The theme of this year's observance is "A promise is a promise: Time for action to end violence against women."
The aim is to promote ongoing national and global efforts to end violence against women, share experiences and innovations, and support efforts to increase national investments focused on gender equality and women’s empowerment. The theme is aligned with that of this year's session of the Commission on the Status of Women, a global policy-makoing body dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the advancement of women. The Commission is meeting at UN Headquarters in New York from 4-15 March 2013.
Violence Against Women in Asia and the Pacific
Violence against women is a major concern in the region of Asia and the Pacific. Deep rooted gender inequality and discriminatory socio-cultural norms and practices underpin patriarchal systems and structures. Women and girls are frequently subject to violence and abuse, including in humanitarian emergencies and post conflict settings.
Facts on Gender-based Violence in the Region of Asia and the Pacific:
- In India, 8,093 cases of dowry-related death were reported in 2007; an unknown number of murders of women and young girls were falsely labelled ‘suicides’ or ‘accidents’.
- Nearly half of the countries in South Asia, and more than 60 per cent of those in the Pacific, have no laws against domestic violence.
- Across Asia, studies in Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines and South Korea show that 30 to 40 per cent of women suffer workplace sexual harassment.
UNFPA works to prevent and end discrimination, harmful practices and violence against women and girls through advocacy, training and coalition building. Various initiatives address early and forced marriage, prenatal sex selection, domestic abuse and sexual violence in emergencies.
UNFPA Areas of Work in Gender Equality in Asia and the Pacific
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